I don’t know how many of you have been attentive to what’s happening around the world, but of something that we must all be aware is what is occurring the in area of religion. I say this because it isn’t difficult to find that just about every day new groups or cults proclaiming to be Christians are appearing, but in all reality they are not. It is also not very difficult to find how numerous Christian congregations have adopted certain practices or methods that only serve to confuse and divide the people of God. For example, during the last few days I have been listening to the different Christian radio stations, and one thing that attracted my attention was that just about every preacher that I heard concentrated their preaching in financial prosperity. I also had the opportunity to see a couple of preachers on the television, and again I found that the same message was being preached. In other words all I have heard this week has been about how we can obtain blessings by the power of positive thinking, and how we can be financially prospered by giving money to the church. I heard all of this rhetoric about these positive things but one thing that was rarely mentioned was the word repentance, and none of them even suggested that repentance is a fundamental element that must be present in order to maintain a genuine relationship with God. But the most interesting thing of all was that in almost all occasions these people were in charge of very large congregations. What I mean is that it is not uncommon to find that these people lead congregations of 500, or 600, or even thousands of people.
Let me make a quick pause and clarify something. I am not saying that there is anything wrong in wanting a congregation to grow. There is nothing wrong in leading a large congregation, as a mater of fact; I would say that the dream of every pastor and leader in the church is to have their church grow in number. But there is a grave problem when the growth of a church or congregation is obtained because the leaders have compromised their faith and beliefs. There is a grave problem when the growth of a church occurs because the leaders have adopted methods or practices with the goal of pleasing the people. Therefore, with this in mind, let us now turn to the word of God for the message that he has for us today.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
As I always say, to have a better understanding of the message that God has for us, it will be necessary to conduct a brief review of history. This epistle was written around 67 AC, and in this point in time Paul was in a roman prison without the slightest hope of being liberated. Paul was in prison because the Roman Empire considered the Christian religion illicit. Therefore, Paul was arrested as a common criminal, and the only reason was, that he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Due to the intense persecution that existed in that era, and due to his knowledge of Roman law, Paul knew very well that very soon he would have a trial and that he would then be executed. This is something that is stated clearly in 2 Timothy 4:6 when we read “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
When we study Paul’s epistle to Timothy from the beginning, it is not difficult to understand that he charged Timothy with three things. First, Paul charged him to endure the abuse that he would suffer for keeping the faith. This is something that is very well reflected in 2 Timothy 1:7-8 when we read “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” Second, he asked him to keep the sound doctrine. This is something that is very well reflected in 2 Timothy 1:13-14 when we read “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” Thirdly, Paul told Timothy not to allow anything to discourage him. This is something that we find very clearly reflected in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 when we read “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Paul charged Timothy with these three things because he did not want the ministry to be interrupted after his death. Therefore, what we have here in essence is that Paul wrote to Timothy telling him to continue laboring for God. Why is it so important that we all know this? It is important that we all know this because in essence, all believers have received the same charge from God. All believers have been charged with continuing to labor for the kingdom of God. Keeping all of this in mind, let us now continue with our lessons for today.
When we open our spiritual eyes and we look around us, it is not difficult to determine that the description that Paul used in the verses that we are studying today clearly describe a large number of people. I dare say that all of us here can think of at least one person that we know that is very well described in Paul’s words. In other words, I know that the majority of us if not all, know people within as well as outside the body of Christ that appear to be one thing, but that in all reality are something else just like how Paul said here when we read “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Unfortunately, hypocrisy is something that abounds in this world. The world is full of people such as the ones we find described here, that appear to be one thing, but are something else. But unfortunately, this is not something that is limited to the world, that is to say, the non-believers. Unfortunately, hypocrisy is something that has taken root in the body of Christ. I say this because it is not uncommon to find that there are people that profess to be believers; that profess to be genuine men and women of God, but that in reality are very far away from God. I say that they are far away from God because there are many that have adopted doctrines and teachings that at first glance appear beautiful and good, but that upon a closer look we learn that they are doctrines and teachings inspired by demons. This is why we find that our Lord left us a great warning as we find in Mark 13:22-23 when we read “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”
As I said, there are many people in this world that appear to be one thing, but are not. There are many people in this world that appear to be God fearing, but are not. The world is full of people that disguise themselves with masks of religion, and arm themselves with seducing words. People that do not labor for the kingdom of God, people that labor against it at all times. It is just like what our Lord tell us in Matthew 7:15 when we read “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Now, I want to stop here for a brief moment and clarify something. I do not want anyone to misinterpret what I have said thus far. I know that I have been speaking about discernment, but I want to make it very clear that I am not saying that we are to judge and condemn people. There is but one just judge, look carefully at how that is reflected in Hebrews 12:23 when we read “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” As you can see God is the judge of all, and not you and me. So I am not saying to judge and condemn, what I am saying is that we can not trust, or accept everything that we see or hear just because it sounds reasonable or good. Tell the brother next to you, beware of false prophets.
In reality there are but two ways to distinguish between ravening wolves and a true servant of God. There are only two ways that we can prevent from being deceived. The only way that we can prevent from being deceived is to first confirm what we hear with the word of God. This is something that is very clear in Galatians 1:8 when we read “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Secondly, observing cautiously the fruit that the person produces. This is something that is very clearly stated by our Lord in Matthew 7:20 when we read “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” In other words, although our first impression might be good, although the appearance of an individual might be great, as true believers we have to learn to hear the voice of God. Many might say that this is something that places the Christians at a disadvantage; the reason being that God does not always reveals things immediately. Perhaps this might be the case, although it is not always that way. But even if this was the case, even if God did not reveal something to a person right away, of one thing that we can be sure is that he will reveal to us exactly what we need to know, at the time that we need to know it. This is something that is very well stated in Luke 12:3 when we read "Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
But in order to receive revelation and conviction of things, we have to be attentive to his word. We can’t simply hear it; we have to listen to it. We have to listen because a life of holiness can only begin if when we have a good understanding of the word of God. We have to listen because if we want to live in the kingdom of God, we have to know Him. Getting to know God is something that can only be accomplished through a good understanding of His word. Why am I saying all these things? I say it because as Christians, we are not called to share or partake in the things of this world. We are not called to be accomplices of the demon inspired doctrines, and religious rituals. The word of God in Romans 12:2 declares “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This here is of the utmost importance because the way the world sees things, and the way God looks at it are very different. The way the world looks at things and the way that God wants we to be are completely opposite. This is why we can not conform or adopt the doctrines and concepts of men. Let me phrase it more clearly so that all can understand. Brethren, positive thinking will not bring a blessing to your life, but a life of holiness will. Brethren, positive thinking will not revolve a situation or a problem, but a prayer will. Brethren, positive thinking will no bring you closer to God, but repentance will. Brethren, God money is not what God wants you to give him in church, He wants your heart. Do you really want to be blessed? Do you want financial prosperity? If you really want these things for your life, then listen to the words of our Lord as we find in Matthew 6:33 when we read “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
God’s word in John 8:32 tells us “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And the truth is that there is no forgiveness unless there is repentance. This is something that is very well reflected in Romans 2:5 when we read “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” The truth is that money can not buy you a blessing; there is no amount of money large enough in the universe that can buy you a blessing. This is smothering that is very well stated in Acts 8:20 when we read “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” The truth is that we can not be accomplices of the doctrines and teachings that only serve to drive away people from God. Tell the brother next to you, from such turn away. But to accomplish this we must first learn to be guided by the Holy Spirit. If we do not allow ourselves to be guided, then it will be very easy for the devil and the powers of darkness to confuse us, and possibly to even blind us therefore causing us to fall in his trap. We can not allow ourselves to be guided by our thoughts, and we can not allow ourselves to be guided by our feelings. Look carefully at what we find in Jeremiah 17:9 when we read “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” We have to allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit that now dwells in us, but most important of all, we have to be willing to move toward the will of God at all times. Why is this so important? This is so important because all of us here can be deceived, all of us here can be blinded, but the Holy Spirit can not. Let’s never forget what we find in Galatians 6:7 when we read “Be not deceived; God is not mocked….” Our advantage as Christians is exactly this, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and He can not be fooled. Tell the brother sitting next to you, the Holy Spirit dwells in me. When we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, He will give us the conviction, He will remove the appearances, and He will reveal to us the truth.
In conclusion, we have to avoid all those people that disguise themselves to confuse us; we have to turn away from all of those that seek to separate us from God; we have to turn away from the current of evil that is sweeping through this world. But we must also examine ourselves to ensure that our fruits are pleasing to God. We have to examine ourselves to ensure that our life is a living testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul began this chapter saying “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” Brethren, this is a great truth; we are living in dangerous times. We are living in a time when our enemy has mounted a great offensive toward the church. We are living in a time when our enemy has intensified his attack against the people of God in his attempt to eliminate His presence in our life. The enemy has intensified his attack to try and stop the blessings that God wants to pour over His people. The enemy has intensified his attack in an attempt to stop us from receiving the crown of life that Jesus died on the cross to give us. I repeat to you again the words from our Lord as we find in Mark 13:22 when we read “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Let us be very careful, and let us hold firmly to the truth that God has given us. Do not allow yourself to participate in all of those things that you well know are not pleasing to God. Do not allow yourself to be involved with those that practice and preach doctrines of men that only serve to divide and destroy the kingdom of God. Remember always the words of Paul when he said “from such, turn away.”
